from carlos v. "D" patient from Hicksville NY
 

hi. my name is carlos vargas, i'm 36 years old & i've been on "D" for almost 14 years now. i've had type 1 diabetes since the age of 7 & that is what lead to my kidneys failing in 1991. i was recently a full time student at the school of visual arts in NYC studying for my degree in cartooning & illustration. but now i am on sick leave from sva because i am patiently waiting for a kidney transplant. lucky for me, i found out that 1 of my 2 brothers from Ca. is a match to donate a kidney for me. i draw cartoons, illustrations for newletters & posters on my free time. i also do designs for print on t-shirts. anyone who is interested may contact me at ricanphantom@mac.com & i will send you a link to my website. on my site there is lots of cool artwork & photos to look at. hope to hear from new friends soon. att, carlos v.

Hey Carlos,

Greetings from California.

I just wanted to wish you good luck. I found out that I match my husband last year and will be donating a kidney to him 2 weeks from today.

I have a little advice if you don't mind. I have had a difficult time with the transplant center. The one we are with is good at putting you off. I have called to ask "What is my next step"? and the reply, "Oh, I don't have your file in my office.". Not wanting to irratate anyone since they are the gate keepers to the transplant I waited patiently. So if you need to give them a nudge, then nudge them tackfully. I have know for an entire year that I match. By the time surgery came around I had to repeat all of my labs. They were 11 months old.

Good luck to you! God Bless you Brother.

~soontobeadonor

Hi Carlos, I am from Brentwood, NY
 

Hi Carlos, I am from Brentwood, NY. I grew up in Westbury. I have been on dialysis now for over 2 years. I have 2 people in my family but they will not donate. Every excuse in the book. My husband and I are very fustrated about this. I have lost interest in my family due to this.

Anyway. I just wanted to say hi neighbor. Keep in touch. And good luck with transplant.

from carlos v.
 

hi. thanks for your reply & sorry about your family being uneducated & afraid. it took me almost 12 years to ask my brothers. even though they had offered me a kidney when i first got ill in 1991. but i was too depressed & scared to have a transplant. but now life for me has gotten a little better thanks to school & a new girlfriend in my life. if you like, email me at ricanphantom@mac.com & i can then send you a link to my website. it's full of great pictures & cool artwork. thanks again for your reply & prayers to you & your husband